Latch



du. s 192e. 1,601,790

R. BERINGER LATCH Filed Jan. 3l, 19225 Patented Oct. 5, 17926.

narran STATES rziiizblr OFFICE.

ROSCOE BERINGER, OF BETE-01T, MIOH'IGAN, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL MOTORS COR- PORATION, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A VCOBRO RA'IIO1\T OF v:DEIZUUTV'AQREI.

LATCH.

Application filed January 31, 1923. Serial No. 616,054,

closed cars to oifer the smallest possible ob-v struction to sliding the glass down into the door. An object of the invention is the pro;`V

vision of a novel latching device having minimum cross-sectional area by utilizing in an improved manner a swinging or oscillatable latch, in lieu of the usual sliding latch, the latch lying across the end of the door Where it taires up very little space extending back into the door.

According to an important feature of the invention, the latch is arrangedV to be op` erated either from inside and at the top of the door, or from outside and at the mid portion of the door by alternatively-operable devices of novel and efiicient construction. While yeither latch-operating device can be used` alone with substantial advantage, they are especially adapted for use in combination With one another.Y

From this point of View, one form of the invention involves the mounting of a latchoperating with or secured directly to the latch, vertically Yof the door. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention the roclr-shaft is arranged to extend above the top of the door, Where it is provided Withv a handle, so that it can be readily operated from inside the automobile. l

The alternatively-operable iatch-controlling device, in a preferred form, comprises a horizontal rock-shaft arranged to oscillate the latch, as for example by being connected thereto by interi-engaging lugs.

Other features of the invention, including an improved latch-casing, a novel arrangement by Which the latch automatically throws the door open aga-in unless it' is completely closed, and other novel combinations and desirable particulary Vconstructions, will be apparent'from the following -description of the illustrativer embodiment roclr shaft, preferably integral ofthe invention shown in the accompanying drawings, in which: y

Fig. 1 isa-,horizontal section through a door and jamb or door post just above .the latch;

Fig. 2 is a section through the latching device on the line .9J-2, Fig. 1; and

Figs. 3 and et are views correspondi ngI to Fig. 1, but showing two differently modified constructions.V y

Each of the latching devices shown in the drawings comprises a latch 10, integral with or secured to a vertical rock shaft 1Q journaled in a bearing formed by bending` ont tongues 14 cut from a sheet-metal piece 16 of angular cross-section. The piece 16 is formed With openings into which extend lugs formed on the edges of a second sheet-` inetal piece 18, the tivo pieces together forming a latch-casing With shaft 12 journaled along one edge and with latch 10 extending across the side. Shaft 12 is arranged to extend above the door', and is'provided with an operating handle 20.

lVhen the latching device is seated ina recess cut in the frame'ZQ. o-f an automobile door,.latch 10 is arranged to seat in a notch in a striker plate 24 secured to a door post 26. It is to be noted that the outel` surface of latch 10 is a cylindrical surface having its axis coincident Withthe axis of shaft 12, and that'the notch in striker plateY 24: is correspondingly cylindrical, so that when the latch is seated in the notch it fits closely, and any strain tending to open the door will come longitudinally of the latch and will be transmitted to shaft 12. According to one of the more important minor features of the invention, the striker surface of the plate 24 is curved in such a manner as to be substan. tially perpendicular to the closing pressure of latch 10 at all points, When the latch is cammed back by the plate when the door is closed. Thus, unless and until the door is completely closed and the latch is seated in its notch, the closing pressure of the latch will act in such adirection as to throw the door open again if it is released.- This p revents accidents to the unexpected opening of an insecurelydatched door.

Handle 2OVV is intended to be manipulated from inside the automobile, andfpreferably alternatively-operable ineens is provided '0n the outside of the door. ln the form slioivn in Figs. l and 2, latch l0 is provided with a downwardly-extending lug` 28 received between tvvo upstanding lugs 8O formed on or carried by a horizontal rock-shaft 32. A coil torsion spring Se surrounds the rock shaft 32 and yieldiiigly urges latch l0 to closed position. Rock-shaft 32 is squared at its outer end to seat in a squared socket in a handle 36, and is journaled at its end in one side of the latch-casing and centrally in a bushing 38 secured to the casing by a lined lange l0 and an upsettable Flange i2 riveted down against the casing. The handle is held by an escutcheon nut la having a flange t6 spun over an annular i'iange on the handle.

ln the modification shown in Fig. 3, sha'lt i8 corresponds to shaft 32 ot Fig. l, but handl-e 5() is held by a nut 52, and the escutcheon nut 5e is not connected to the handle. In the modification shown in Fig. el, shaft 32 is replaced by a sleeve 56, having a squared opening for a stem 58 integral with or secured to handle 60, and held by an inner nut 62. In this form the escutcheon nut may conveniently be integral With the handle.

F rom the foregoing description it Will be seen that the improved latching` device, in its several illustratec` modifications and in the many other obvious forms, is compact and etlicient, of minimum horizontal crosssectional area, operable from either the inside or outside of an automobile and well adapted for quantity production, and turther that there is no need tor an uncovered opening in the top edge of the door, so that dirt and Water are kept out ot the atching mechanism. lt is not my intention to limit the scope of the invention to the illustrated modifications, or otherwise than by the terms ot the appendedclaims, as many features ot' the invention are adapted for use in latches not intended for autoiriobiles` or for latches mounted iii door posts or jambe instead oi in the doors themselves, and many structural features of the invention are ot value in themselves even when used with previously kiioivn latching devices.

I claim:

l. In a vehicle Which has relatively-movable jamb members with cooperatingr edge Walls extending in a generally vertical direction, and a striker plate carried by one ot said members, a manually-oscillatable shaft vertically mounted in the other of said members, a latch angularly movable with the shaft to cooperate With the striker plate, and auxiliary latch-turning means operable from the side of the latch-carrying member.

2. In a vehicle which has relatively-movable jamb members with cooperating edge Walls extending in a generally vertical direction, and a striker plate. carried by one of said members, a manually-oscillatable shaft vertically mounted in the other of said members7 a latch angularly movable with the shaft to cooperate with the striker plate, auxiliary latch-turning means operable Jfrom the side of the latch-carrying member, and a spring urging the latcii into latching position.

3. ln a vehicle. Which has relatively-movable 'door and jamb members with cooperatel. In a vehicle Which has relatively-move.

able door and jamb members with cooperating edge Walls extending in a generally vertical direction, and a striker plate carried by one oiC said members, an oscillatable shalt mounted in the other of said members and extending enteiiding above its top edge and there pro- V vided With an operatii'ig handle, a latch angularly movable With the shaft to cooperate with the striker plate and yieldingly urged toward latching` position, and an auxiliary latch-operating shaft extending through the out-er side ot the shaft carrying member, and n there provided with an operating handle.

1 r 5. In a vehicle which has reiatively movable door and )amb members with cooperating edge Walls extending in a generally vcrtical direction, and a striker plate carried by one ot said members, a vertically-extending rock-shaft having an operating` handleand .operable from inside the vehicle, latch carried by and angularly movable with said rock-shaft, an auxiliary horizontally-extending rock-shaft having an operating handle and operable from outside the vehicle,

the latch and auxiliary rock-shaft being interconnected for oscillation about axes in mutually perpendicular planes, and a spring Y urging the latch into latching' position with respect to the striker plate.

6. In a vehicle which has relativelymovable door and jamb members with cooperating edge Walis extending in a `generally verV tical direction, and a striker plate carried by one or' said members.. a pivotally mounted latch carried by the other of said members, and a pair or latch-oscillating members tern atively operable respectively from inside and outside the vehicle. 7. In a vehicle'ivhichlhas relatively-movable door and jamb members with cooperating edge Walls extending` in a generally vertical direction, and a striker plateY carried llO of'said members, a `pivota-lly mounted =latch carried means operable.from-near the top of and inside'said latch-carrying member vtorturning the pivotally mounted latch, and auxiliary means operable Vfrom a mid position, and outside of said latch-carrying member 'for turning the latch.

8. In a vehicle Which-has Yre'latively-in'ovable door Aand jamb members with cooperating edge Walls extending in a generally vertical direct-ion, and a strikerplate. carried by one of said members, a pivotally 'mountef latch carried by the other of said members, means operable 'from near the top of and inside 'said latch-carrying member for turning the pivotally mounted latch, and a latchoperating :rock-shaft `extending through the side of the latch-carrying member.

9. In a vehicle Which hasrelatively-movable door and jamb members with cooperating 'edge Wallsextending in a generally vertical direction, and a striker plate carried by one of said members, a pivotally mounted latch carried by the other 'of said members,

means operable from nearjthetop of and inside said latch-carrying member for turning the pivotally mounted latch, and a latchoperating rock-shaft'extending through the side of theflatch-carrying membergsaid 'latch and krock-shaft having inter-engaging lugs.

10. A door-latchingdevice comprising, in combination, a striker plate and a pivotallymounted latch lfor a door yieldingly urged toward latching position, the striker plate having a latch-receiving recess With an arcuate Wall corresponding to the angular movement of the latch, and an adjacent striker surface for Wedging the latch back in closing. the direction in which the latch is yieldingly urged being such that the yielding a'ction of the latch will open the door again unless it is completely closed and latched.

11. A door-latching device comprising, in combination, a striker plate and a pivotallymounted latch for a door yieldingly urged toward latching position, the striker plate having a striker surface for Wedging the latch back in closing, the direction in which the latch is yieldingly urged being such that the yielding action of the latch will open the door again unless it is completely closed and latched.

12. A door-latching device comprising, in combination, a striker plate and a yieldingly-oscillated latch arranged to push against the striker plate at such an angle as to open a door carrying the plate or latch automatically unless it is completely closed.

13. A door-latching device comprising,'in combination, a pivotally-mounted latch, and alternatively-operable latch-turning rockshafts arranged substantially at right angles to one another.

,14. A door-latching device comprising, in

combination, a pi'votally-mounted latch, -a rock-shaft arranged to `extend vertically when in `place in a vehicle, and an auxiliary rock-:shaft yarranged `to extend horizontally when in place-in a vehicle, both of the rock- 4shafts beingconnected to the latch, the latch being arranged to turn about a substantially vertical axis.

n 15. Adoor-latching device comprising, in combination, a manually-oscillatable shaft 'arranged to 'extend in a generally vertical direction rWhen in place in a vehicle, a latch carried by land oscillatable With the shaft, and an auxiliary oscillatable latch-operating shaft extending substantially at right angles to the vertical shaft.

16. lA door-latching device comprising, in combination, a manually-oscillatab-le lshaft arranged to vextend'in a generally vertical direction when in place in a vehicle, a latch carried by and oscillatablewvith the shaft, and an auxiliary oscillatable latch-operating shaft extending substantially at Aright angles tothe vertical shaft, the latch and flche vauxiliary shaft having inter-engaging ugs.

17. A door-latching device comprising, in combination, a manually-oscillatable rock `shaft arranged to extend in a generally vertical .direction when in :place in a vehicle, a latch carried by and oscillatable with the shaft, and an auxiliary oscillatable latchoperating shaft extending substantially at ,right angles to the vertical shaft, anda Atorsion spring surrounding one of said shafts and connected thereto to urge the latch into latching position.

18. A vehicle door having a rock-shaft extending vertically of its end and rotatable about its longitudinal axis, a latch secured to or integral with said rock-shaft, and a handle at the upper end of the rock-shaft.

19. A vehicle door having a longitudinally-xed rock-shaft ext-ending vertically of its end and rotatable about its longitudinal axis, and a latch secured to or integral With said rock-shaft.

20. A vehicle door having a rock-shaft extending along one of the vertical edges of its end and rotatable about its longitudinal axis, and a latch secured to or integral with the rock-shaft and arranged to extend part Way across the mid portion of the end.

21. A vehicle door having a latch mounted to swing on a vertical pivot, and a horizontal rock-shaft operatively connected to the latch and extending through the side of the door.

22. A vehicle door having a latch mounted to swing on a vertical pivot, and a horizontal rock-shaft, the latch and rock-shaft being provided with inter-engaging lugs.

23'. A vehicle door having, in combination, a latch mounted to swing on a vertical pivot, a horizontal rock-shaft having a part engaging the latch, and a spring urging the latch to latchingposition.

24. A vehicle door having, in combination, a latch mounted to swing on a vertical pivot, a horizontal rock-shaft operatively connected to the latch, and a torsion spring connected to the rock-shaft.

25. A vehicle door having, in combination, a latch mounted to swing on a vertical pivot, a horizontal rock-shaft operatively connected to the latch and extending through the side of the door1 a handle on the roch-shaft, and an escutcheon nut spun over a portion of the handle.

26. A latching device comprising, in coinbination, a pair of angular sheet metal members interconnected to form a latch casingv and having portions at one corner of the casing bent into a bearing, and a pivotallymounted latch having a shaft carried by said bearing.

27. A latching device comprising, in combination, a sheet-metal piece of substantially right angular cross-section to form part of the end and side faces of a door, a shaft journaled in said piece at the angle of said piece, and a latch operated by the shaft.

28. A latching device comprising, in combination, connected sheet metal pieces, each of substantially right-angular cross section and together forming a latch casing, a shaft journaled in one of the pieces at the angle thereof, and a latch operated by the shaft.

29. A latching device comprising, in combination, connected sheet metal pieces, each of substantially right-angular cross section and together forming a latch casing, a shaft journaled in one of the pieces at the angle thereof, a. latch operated by said shaft, and a cross shaft journaled in opposite sides of the casing and operatively connected to the latch.

30.'A latching device having, in combination, a latch mounted to oscillate on a vertical pivot, a horizontal shaft operatively connected to the latch, a handle on the shaft, and a nut on the end of the shaft holding the handle in place.

3l. A latching device having, in combination, a latch mounted to'cscillate on a vertical pivot, and a handle having an integral extension forming a horizontal shaft operatively connected to the latch.

82. A latch for a swinging member comprising a horizontally swinging latch carrie-d by a vertically oscillating rocl shaft, the said rock shafthaving a rigidly connected operating arm.

83. A latch for a swinging member comprising a horizontally swinging latch carried rigidly by a vert-ical rock shaft mounted in the swinging member, an operating arm on the rock shaft, a horizontal roel?. shaft extending through the swinging mem.- ber and engaging a lug on the latch whereby the latch may be operated by movement of either shaft.

In testimony whereof affix my signature. A

RoscorJ erinnern.' 

